Ecuador Earthquake Leaves At Least 150,000 Children Vulnerable To Disease, Other Risks

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A child is assisted at a shelter hopital in Manta, Ecuador. Rescuers and desperate families clawed through the rubble Monday to pull out survivors of an earthquake.

As Ecuador begins to recover from Saturday’s 7.8-magnitude earthquake, groups and advocates are pouring their efforts into protecting the country’s youngest and most vulnerable victims.

At least 150,000 kids have been affected by the natural disaster, which means they’re at a heightened risk for contracting a number of serious diseases and other common risks associated with such emergencies, according to UNICEF. The aid organization is particularly concerned about the water and sanitation issues in the coastal areas, and the diseases that fester there.

Those areas were already considered “hotspots” for Zika, dengue, malaria and chikungunya, according to UNICEF.

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Children are seen at the rubble in one of Ecuador's worst-hit towns, Pedernales, a day after a 7.8-magnitude quake hit the country, on April 17, 2016.

The death toll rose to more than 400 as of Monday, according to Reuters, and the country is facing billions in damages.

According to preliminary reports, the earthquake damaged 119 schools, destroyed about 800 buildings and two hospitals collapsed entirely, UNICEF added.

Mudslides continue to remain a considerable risk, causing further damage and precluding relief teams from bringing supplies and support.